The Global Games Fund initiative and the opportunity to make a difference in emerging countries

( vers?o em português disponível aqui )

Greetings, game developers and gaming enthusiasts!

In recent years, the electronic gaming industry has experienced phenomenal growth worldwide. Not only as a form of entertainment, but also as a platform for artistic and cultural expression, games have become an integral part of modern life. However, this growth has not been uniform in every corner of the globe. Emerging countries often face significant challenges when it comes to developing and promoting their own gaming industries. This is where an initiative like the Global Games Fund comes into play.

Announced on April 19, 2024, the Global Games Fund will be launched in the second quarter of 2024, promising projects with funding of up to $50,000 and transparent and intuitive reimbursement structures for studios. The focus will be on developers outside the Western world, allowing teams to communicate and attempt to release their titles in Arabic, English, Spanish, French, Hindi, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, or Simplified Chinese.

Equally important is who is behind the organization of the fund - Rami Ismail and Myriame Lachapelle, who are also organizers of GameDev.world , a global online game development conference that started in 2019 and had its most recent edition in December 2023, where all lectures were translated into multiple languages precisely to cover the emerging markets of the world.

In case the name is not familiar to you, Rami Ismail is a renowned game developer, entrepreneur, and advocate for diversity in the gaming industry. Co-founder of Vlambeer, he is known for his work on critically acclaimed indie games such as "Nuclear Throne," "Luftrausers," and "Ridiculous Fishing." In addition to his impact on the gaming world, Rami is a passionate advocate for inclusion and representation, tirelessly working to amplify voices and opportunities in the industry for creators from all backgrounds.

I had the opportunity to attend a lecture by Rami at the Dash event in Rio Grande do Sul / Brazil in 2016, and I was very impressed by two things - his brutal honesty in conveying his views, evaluating projects, and giving feedback to gamedevs; and his seriousness and focus. Since I also spoke at the event, we had some contact, including a trip on a bus chartered by the organization to transport the speakers, and the impression I had was that throughout the event and in the moments I could observe, he was always working on something, and this something was always related to game development and the community.

I highlight the names of Rami and Myriame here because for me it is fundamental to this announcement and, honestly, the reason I got excited about the news enough to choose it as the theme of this week's column.

In times of political polarization like the ones we are currently experiencing in many countries (especially the emergent ones), much discussion revolves around whether governments should or should not finance game development projects, and whether they should be considered as culture to receive resources from this sector.

However, regardless of your political and ideological views, I believe we can all agree that while the government may seem like an attractive source of resources, there is a clear advantage in seeking investors who have a deep understanding of the business, like Rami.

First and foremost, investors who are well-versed in the business are more likely to align with the company's objectives and vision. They understand the specific challenges faced by the sector and are more likely to offer strategic support and guidance, rather than simply providing capital.

Furthermore, investors who are intimately familiar with the gaming industry often have a vast network of contacts that can benefit the studio. These connections can open doors to new partnership opportunities, publishing and distribution channels, and qualified talent.

Finally, experienced developers like the team at Gamedev.World bring with them a valuable set of skills and knowledge. They can offer strategic insights, help avoid common pitfalls, and provide practical guidance based on their previous experience, just as Rami did in the lecture I attended in 2016. My understanding is that this "specialized consultancy" can be even more valuable to studios in the growth phase than financial resources themselves, helping them navigate challenges and make informed decisions that drive their success.

For all these reasons, I sincerely hope that the Global Games Fund project is a huge success, that great development teams are selected, and that we can soon report the success of Brazilian and Latin American games invested in by the initiative.

Warm regards, and until next week!